Prevalence of enamel defects in primary and permanent teeth in a group of schoolchildren from Granada (Spain)

OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to determine and compare the prevalence and presentations of developmental defects of the enamel (DDE) in the primary and permanent dentitions of a group of healthy schoolchildren residing in Granada (Spain). STUDY DESIGN A total of 1,414 healthy schoolchildren were examined using modified DDE criteria for recording enamel defects. RESULTS The prevalence of DDE of any type was 40.2% in primary dentition and 52% in permanent dentition (p<0.033). Of the 31,820 primary and permanent teeth examined in the study, 699 (4.1%) primary and 1,232 (8.3%) permanent teeth had some form of DDE. Diffuse opacity was the most common type of DDE observed in primary teeth, and demarcated opacity in the permanent teeth. Enamel hypoplasia was the least prevalent defect in both dentition types. CONCLUSIONS The study population showed a high prevalence of DDE in primary as well as in permanent dentition, reflecting the current increasing trend of this condition, which should be considered as a significant public health problem.